“Connecting with God in the Garden” offers seasonal inspiration for your journey

Temperatures are warming…

the sun is shining and the breeze is balmy.
I am waiting for spring,
as if it will come on a particular day,
all of a sudden,
and then, be here.

Sitting among my blossoming crocuses,
budding daffodils and sprouting tulips,
I realize that it is here, now. All around.
Coursing into trunks and stems and leaves.

I can’t hear it, but I can feel it —
reviving my spirit with anticipation;
filling my world with signs of new life;
preparing to bring me great joy as it continues evolving.

God is like the arriving of spring —
He is here, with me, now —
Orchestrating many things in the garden of my life.

Excerpt page 43

How can I be concerned…

with the details of my life
when I look closely at the intricacy of the center of a coneflower? 
In my garden, surrounded by God’s blessings, I consider all these details:

the delicacy of the daylily,
the softness of the sweet pea
and the strength of the sedum…

Inspired, I vow to champion my uniqueness,
to realize that delicacy and softness are far from weakness. 

O Lord, guide me humbly along 
the innocent arc by which 
You fashion my life
that I might recognize Your fingerprints 
within my life’s garden.

Excerpt page 92

The cedar is a symbol…

of holiness, eternity and peace.

When I sit amid them,

they offer their quiet strength to clear my mind.

With prayer in my heart,

the flutter of their graceful arms in the breeze,

brings me calmness of spirit,

and I can enjoy the “here and now moment”

with God by my side.

Excerpt page 121

The color palette…

of Autumn is striking.
I find myself wondering if this season is not more vibrant than Spring.
I could not imagine thinking this a few weeks ago as the last flowers of Summer began fading.
I was sad to see all my inspiration go.
And then . . . came the Fall colors!
There is hope in these elements of the season.
There is new exquisiteness to be experienced.
It reminds me that my life can take on fresh color.

Excerpt page 116

The sun spills splendidly…

across my yard and beyond;
shadows and patches of light flicker on distant grass
as the breeze plays gently with branches.
Wispy clouds sail in a blue sky.

Autumn’s evening sun reflects through the changing leaves,
creating the myriad colors that cannot be described.
I turn my face to its rays to feel God’s warmth shine through my heart,
creating colors of caring, tints of kindness, and hues of hospitality.

Is this like heaven?

Gazing at God forever?

Being in His Presence?

Excerpt page 138

The snow clings…

to each branch, taking its shape.

Likewise, God enfolds me in His embrace to receive His blessings, 

and we become one shape. 

I must hold fast every frozen droplet to find unison with Him.

At times, He will come to me, enriching me.

Other times, I must seek Him, envelop Him. 

Either way I reap the benefits as I become like Him. 

Excerpt page 182